Ms. Mollie’s Class: Hello January!

Posted on January 11, 2025 by Mollie Smith

Hello January!

As I watch the snow gently fall this morning, I can’t help but reflect on the wonderful week we have had in our classroom. The first week back after a long break would seem like it was harder than most, the children have been absolutely resilient, they have come into school with grace, and the children crave order, routine, and structure,e all of which are in the very fiber of what we do and provide daily here at Fraser Woods.

This week, we welcomed two new children and our second assistant, Ms. Anabelle, into our classroom, which has allowed us to open our classroom environment, practice our communication skills, and, most importantly, open our hearts to new friends who help complete our classroom. The children have been so enthusiastic to welcome them each day, wanting to help and play with them. Having our new children join us has really enforced grace and courtesy, practicing our kindness and thoughtfulness. It’s been very heartwarming to watch the children with such open arms welcome the new children.

Many things this week needed to be flexible due to the weather, so we were able to enjoy the gym each day! One thing I have recognized with toddlers is the need to run, climb, and chase daily. With more flexibility, we were also able to start our weekly baking! The children were so happy to make blueberry scones; the children helped with each step of the process and were very happy to enjoy the eating part, too! Our daily classroom work allowed the children to practice their skills, enforce concentration, and simply be content.

With Full Hearts and Wishing you all a Happy New Year,

Ms. Mollie, Ms. Lizette, and Ms. A

Mrs. Hood: Tis’ the Season!

Posted on December 21, 2024 by Andrea Hood

And just like that, our first trimester comes to a close, leaving us with so many cherished moments and heartwarming stories. Your children are truly blooming, and their joy, curiosity, and laughter bring so much love and life to our classroom. We are deeply honored to witness their growth and to see each of them unfolding so beautifully.

Thank you for your unwavering support and trust—it means the world to us. We are so grateful to partner with you on this incredible journey. A special thank you as well for your generous and thoughtful gifts; your kindness is truly appreciated!

This week, we celebrated with an amazing pajama holiday party, and it was a morning filled with laughter and fun! The children enjoyed games like “Pin the Nose on Frosty the Snowman,” a friendly snowball fight, a reindeer ring toss, and an epic dance session. We also gathered together for a cozy breakfast, delicious hot cocoa, a mini picture session, and some holiday storytime. But the most special part of all was simply being together as our own little classroom family.

As we continue to enjoy the beautiful holiday season, we wish you and your family light, joy, and peace. May 2024 bring health, happiness, and countless moments of love and connection to us all.

Enjoy the pics of your beautiful children, and have a safe and joyful holiday break. We can’t wait to see you in the new year!

Mrs Hood and Ms. Patty

Ms. Mollie’s Class: Happy Holidays

Posted on December 21, 2024December 21, 2024 by Mollie Smith

This week, sharing the magic of holidays has been truly magical to see through the eyes of the children. This week, the children explored, played, and experienced the holidays through a variety of different materials and experiences. The children were able to experience Hanukkah traditions through play and taste! We are so thankful that Kat and Jeremy (Margot’s mom and dad) came to play dreidel, told us the traditions of Hanukkah, and made potato latkes for all of the children to try. The children absolutely loved the latkes, especially the applesauce and sour cream! We are so grateful and thankful to Kat and Jeremy for sharing such wonderful traditions with the children! We also got to experience our first Fraser Woods holiday concert! The children clapped, danced, and sat so beautifully.

As always, parents, Lizette and I thank you for all of your support, kindness, and help in making our holiday pajama party so much fun! We could not have done it without you! We were so happy to snuggle up, read great books about the holidays, and simply be together drinking our hot cocoa!

With Full Hearts,

Ms. Mollie and Ms. Lizette

Mrs. Wilson: Holiday Cheer!

Posted on December 20, 2024December 20, 2024 by Cynthia Wilson

I want to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who sent such thoughtful birthday wishes to Ms. Sara.

Pancake and Pajama Day was a true highlight, and the children had an absolute blast! It’s a perfect way to end the week before the holiday break. The kids came dressed in their coziest pajamas and enjoyed a delicious breakfast of pancakes, mixed berries, and whipped cream, along with hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and mini marshmallows.

After breakfast, we had a festive time jingling our bells to “Jingle Bell Rock”—twice! Then, we settled down for a story, How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen.

The hot cocoa mugs the children used were a special gift from Ms. Sara and me, intended for them to use at home. The week wrapped up with the holiday concert, where students from Primary through Middle School delivered truly spectacular performances.

We wish everyone a joyful, peaceful holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year!

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara

Ms. Mollie: Playful December

Posted on December 14, 2024 by Mollie Smith

This December has been filled with so much play and quiet and peaceful works. I know you’re asking how a Toddler classroom can be filled with peace and quiet. Each day, the children are given the opportunity to choose works and move freely in the classroom, they are given age-appropriate materials that meet their developmental needs, and they are given the opportunity to have uninterrupted play. The children continue to explore Hanukkah and Christmas, and as a classroom, we talk about each and what the children love about them. We have been practicing our cutting skills, making snowflakes, and cutting out polar animals. Our Polar animals are a huge hit in the classroom, the children have so many questions about what they are, what they eat, how do they eat, where do they live? I encourage you to keep the conversation going about the Who’s, Whats, and Whys. They all help your child truly understand the world around them, and they help them develop language skills.

With Full Hearts,

Ms. Mollie and Ms. Lizette

Mrs. Hood: Holiday Joy!

Posted on December 14, 2024 by Andrea Hood

The first day of winter is almost here, and with it comes the magic of the holiday season! The long, dark days of winter provide the perfect backdrop for the bright and joyful traditions we embrace in our Montessori environment. These holidays don’t just bring twinkling lights and cheerful songs; they also serve as wonderful tools to engage our children, nurture a love of learning, and explore the passage of time and seasons. And let’s face it – who doesn’t need a little extra sparkle this time of year?

The joy begins with the holiday works that fill our shelves. One favorite activity has been placing tiny ornaments on our classroom Christmas tree. Watching the children carefully balance a sparkling ornament on the branches brings such delight, and it’s a fantastic way to build fine motor skills and concentration. Nearby, our Menorah work has inspired children to carefully place candles one by one, counting them as they go and learning a little bit about the festival of lights.

In the practical life area, holiday cheer has taken the form of spooning and transferring shiny jingle bells, colorful ornaments, and special Hannukah objects. The focus and pride the children exhibit as they master these tasks are heartwarming. Another crowd-pleaser? Flipping pretend latkes in a tiny pan! They love it!

Over at the playdough area, the creativity has been bubbling over as children “bake” their own Christmas cookies. Tiny hands press out shapes, sprinkle pretend toppings, and serve them with pride. This playful preparation complements our holiday card-making work, where the toddlers pour their hearts into crafting special greetings for loved ones. And, shh! The little ones are also working on a very special holiday gift – a keepsake we know you’ll treasure for years to come.

But what’s a holiday season without music? The classroom has been alive with the sounds of children playing instruments and dancing to their favorite tunes. Laurie Berkner’s “Candle Chase” and “Jingle Bells” have been in high demand (within others), inspiring both giggles and groovy moves. It’s hard not to join in the fun when the jingle bells come out, and the little ones start shaking them with all their might!

In the midst of all this festivity, one quiet yet captivating work has emerged as a favorite: water transferring with a dropper. This seemingly simple activity is a powerhouse for developing coordination and patience. We’ve overheard children coaching themselves, “squeeze, open,” as they master the delicate task of moving water drop by drop. The “woosh” of water filling the dropper and the gentle drip into the silver bowl never fails to bring smiles – and sometimes even fits of laughter! It’s a beautiful reminder that joy can be found in the simplest of moments.

And speaking of simple joys, our food-tasting activity this week featured cucumbers. From “Mmm, crunchy!” to “It’s cold and funny!” their reactions were as delightful as the exploration of this vegetable.

These experiences are about more than just fun (though there’s plenty of that!). They build skills, nurture independence, and foster a sense of community and wonder. As we navigate these long winter months, these joyful activities remind us to slow down, savor the moment, and find magic in the everyday.

Thank you for sharing your children with us this season. Their laughter and curiosity light up our days. We can’t wait for our holiday pajama celebration next week! Please feel free to send your child in pajamas on Thursday, December 19th, and thank you in advance for all your support in making this happen!

Here’s to a season filled with love, learning, and a little extra sparkle!

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Patty

Mrs. Wilson: Chanuka Celebration

Posted on December 14, 2024 by Cynthia Wilson

This week was cold but productive and full of excitement! The children stayed busy creating a special holiday surprise for their parents with their artwork.

On Thursday, Ms. Eryn visited to share a festive Chanukah celebration. She read My First Chanukah by Tomie dePaola, introducing the children to a menorah, dreidel, and Chanukah gelt. The children also had the chance to try a special treat—potato pancakes with applesauce! Afterward, they worked with Ms. Eryn to roll their own beeswax candles, which they can light at home. The morning wrapped up with a fun dance to Chanukah music, where the children waved colorful scarves.

We’ve also been closely observing our decomposing pumpkin, a long-term experiment we’ve been tracking since October. The children are fascinated by the changes!

For our food-tasting activity, we tried a lime this week. We were surprised by how much more sour it was than a lemon! Check out these priceless faces!

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara

Mrs Wilson: Hello December!

Posted on December 6, 2024December 7, 2024 by Cynthia Wilson

Hello December!

This month, the children will dive into exploring the various holidays celebrated during this festive season, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. We’ll see vibrant colors like blue, silver, red, and green, along with festive objects such as gelt, dreidels, a menorah, decorations for the tree, bells, and gingerbread men. My goal is to encompass all these holidays so that every child feels included and gets a glimpse into how others celebrate, fostering a sense of belonging in their environment.